Review
Halsey really made a splash with "Badlands," didn't she? Dropping on August 28, 2015, this album became her ticket to the big leagues, especially with its mix of electropop and alternative pop vibes. She got all deep with the whole post-apocalyptic city theme, using that as a way to talk about her own headspace issues like corruption and fighting to get out of a bad place. And musically? Well, it's packed with dark, electro-pop beats and Halsey's distinctive voice that just pulls you into her world. She teamed up with Lido, who's a whiz producer from Norway, to really set the scene, and tunes like "Castle" and "New Americana" hit that sweet spot of being catchy but also hit on real deep stuff like fame and society.
Sure, a few folks weren't super thrilled, calling out some of the lyrics and saying the production was a bit same-y, but let's be real—loads of people dug it. "Badlands" has Halsey written all over it, with its popular singles like "Ghost" and "Colors" that resonated with the youth. "Colors" even blasted up to be the top streamed song on Spotify, and the album wasn't just a hit here in the States—it charmed people all around the globe. Going double Platinum in the U.S. and killing it on charts in different countries just goes to show Halsey's got something special that's hitting home for people everywhere.
In the end, this album is a solid start for Halsey, mixing her knack for storytelling with some lush, edgy sounds that have definitely left a mark. Even with a few hiccups here and there from the critics, "Badlands" has that special sauce that draws fans in and has shaped the pop music scene as we know it. - Melody
